MRSA Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) or "staph", is a bacterium found in the nose or on the skin of approximately 20-30% of the U.S. population. It causes diseases ranging from mild to severe skin and soft tissue infections to more serious invasive diseases such as blood stream infections, pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome. Although most infections are treated successfully with antibiotics, some cases result in significant injury or death.

MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) refers to S. aureus strains that are resistant to certain antibiotics. MRSA emerged in U.S. hospitals in the 1960s and is now the most common drug-resistant organism found in hospital settings. According to national hospital surveys, MRSA represented two percent of all S. aureus infections in hospitals in 1975, 35% in 1991, and 64% in 2003.

There are two main types of MRSA

Healthcare-associated (HA) MRSA is found primarily in hospital patients and long-term care residents.

Community-associated (CA) MRSA occurs in persons who report no contact with healthcare facilities.

Community associated MRSA patient pamphlet(PDF, 158 KB)
Health care providers and local public health agencies can use this pamphlet to provide patients with general community associated MRSA information and prevention tips.

Community associated MRSA Guide(PDF, 205 KB) Clinical management and control of transmission
This document discusses the epidemiology of community associated MRSA and offers treatment guidance and infection control and prevention measures for both health care and community settings.

Community associated MRSA patient pamphlet(PDF, 158 KB)
Patient information and prevention tips are found in this pamphlet. Health care providers and local public health agencies can use this pamphlet to provide patients with general community associated MRSA information and prevention tips.